Leading environmental groups, including the National Trust have called on the government to take urgent action to ensure that the growth in UK bioenergy production maximises greenhouse gas savings but minimises harm to the environment.

In a new report, 'Bioenergy in the UK', the coalition concludes that some crops grown for energy generation could play an important role in reducing carbon emissions and improve conditions for wildlife at the same time.

However, if bioenergy crops are not managed properly, they could cause decline in farmland wildlife, harm landscapes, historic and archaeological sites, and damage soil and water quality. This is a particular concern in relation to intensively grown crops used for transport fuels.

The report calls for:

• A thorough assessment of the potential for UK production of bioenergy and drawbacks
• Minimum environmental standards and certification to guarantee carbon savings and and environmental protection
• A strong planning system to ensure home-grown bioenergy delivers environmental benefits without damaging sensitive landscapes or resulting in unsuitable changes in land use

Download the full report (PDF / 2 MB)